The Japan Times, Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Chairperson & President: Minako Suematsu) and The Japan Times Publishing, Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hideki Ito) have compiled preliminary data (as of June 2026) on the use of our articles in entrance examinations for the 2026 academic year.
A total of 180 questions were drawn from articles published across The Japan Times*1¡¯ media portfolio and were selected for use? in entrance exams at a wide range of national, public, and private universities. Private universities showed particularly high usage, and multiple faculties within the same university frequently selected our content.
£ªThe Japan Times¡¯ English-language media include The Japan Times, The Japan Times Alpha, its predecessor The Japan Times ST, The Japan Times Alpha J, and Sustainable Japan.
Growing Importance of English Newspapers in Entrance Exam Preparation
English entrance exams are increasingly featuring passages on current affairs that require contextual understanding. This trend is reflected in the widespread adoption of The Japan Times articles by universities, further highlighting the effectiveness of using English-language newspapers to strengthen reading comprehension skills.
Adoption Trends by Publication
The Japan Times (86 articles adopted)
Articles from The Japan Times often address social issues such as immigration policy, labor, and social media, as well as AI, technology, environmental challenges, and sustainability. These topics lend themselves well to advanced reading comprehension and essay-style questions that require global awareness and a structural understanding of contemporary society. Medical and science-related articles¡ªcovering themes such as neuroscience and aging¡ªcontinue to be widely used by medical faculties in their entrance examinations.
Examples of adopted articles:
Japan struggles with digital transformation (Tokyo Woman¡¯s Christian University)
Record number of technical trainees go missing in Japan in 2023 (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies)
AI services growing in popularity among language learners in Japan (Aichi Gakuin University)
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals (Tsuda University)
The Japan Times Alpha / Alpha J / ST (93 articles adopted)
Alpha, Alpha J, and ST feature accessible themes such as social media, AI, culture, psychology, and human relationships¡ªtopics that resonate with students and often show up in exams. Articles explaining English usage and language acquisition are consistently adopted each year. Essays reflecting personal experiences and conversational pieces depicting everyday life are also popular, making these publications a staple source for entrance exam materials across different faculties.
Examples of adopted articles:
AI in education: Is it an opportunity or a challenge? (Shohoku College / Tokushima Bunri University)
Scrolling away our focus ¡ª the attention span problem (Atomi University)
On demand (Vocabulary explanation) (Kanda University of International Studies)
Life as an Expat ¡ª New Year¡¯s greeting (Conversation text) (Bunri University of Hospitality)
Sustainable Japan (1 article adopted)
?
2026 English Entrance Exam Trends
Commentary by Kenta Tokita? (Toshin High School / Toshin Satellite Preparatory School / Kawaijuku English Instructor)
English reading passages for competitive private universities and national university second-stage exams increasingly focus on cutting-edge themes such as human uniqueness in the age of AI, environmental and food-related issues, and fake news. These questions demand strong interest in and a deep understanding of underlying social issues.
Three Major Themes in 2026 Exams
Humanity & AI: Human uniqueness and rights in the AI era; concerns over AI misuse in education; implications for voice actors, performers, and copyright in the arts.
Environment & Food Loss: Not only climate change but also real-world issues such as food shortages and other human-driven challenges.
Fake News & Social Media: Impacts of multitasking and mobile device usage on concentration, communication, and mental health; discussions on misinformation¡ªnow also a regular topic in English composition tasks.
Advice from Mr. Tokita
Current exam trends emphasize contemporary issues and recent academic papers challenge conventional wisdom. Students should actively read English articles that ¡°cut into the present moment,¡± rather than relying solely on past exam questions. Building vocabulary through understanding definitions¡ªnot rote memorization¡ªis essential (e.g., generative AI, bias, zero-sum game, paradox).
For Entrance Exam Content Creators: Back Issue Access Service
The Japan Times and The Japan Times Publishing offer access rights enabling exam writers to browse back issues to develop entrance exam questions. Access is limited to designated periods and restricted to exam creation staff (excluding internal school assessments). Applications can be submitted via the following links:
The Japan Times:
The Japan Times Alpha:
The Japan Times Alpha J:
Company Profiles
The Japan Times, Ltd.
Founded in 1897, The Japan Times is Â鶹´«Ã½ oldest English-language newspaper. Since launching its website in 1996, it has continued to share Â鶹´«Ã½ present and future with the world through digital platforms and social media. Its readership includes foreign residents in Japan, government officials, think tanks, and international media. The newspaper¡¯s archives are held by universities and public libraries worldwide, supporting research in modern history and Asian studies.
The Japan Times: /
Subscription site:
The Japan Times Publishing, Ltd.
Established in July 2019 following the separation of The Japan Times¡¯ publishing division, the company leverages over 50 years of expertise in language education to provide content and services that foster higher-level language learning. Its offerings include English-learning books such as Reading the World: An Introduction to News English, the print + web services The Japan Times Alpha and The Japan Times Alpha J, and Japanese-language learning materials for foreign learners. The Genki series has sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide.
The Japan Times Publishing:
The Japan Times Alpha:
The Japan Times Alpha J:
Contact Information
The Japan Times ¡ª PR Office (Ms. Saito)??
Email: [email protected]
The Japan Times Publishing ¡ª Alpha Division??
Email: [email protected]
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.